The 1987 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included Men's/Women's Club, college, high school, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.
Men's Club
The 1987 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Pepin Rood Stadium of Tampa University in Florida from May 8–9.[1] The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Old Blues rugby club of Berkeley, CA won the title for the seventh time.[2][3][4] Gary Townsend of Old Blues was MVP.
Regional Semifinal
Regional Final
National Semifinal
National Final
April 25 - Vancouver, WA
Old Blues
25
April 26 - Vancouver, WA
Old Puget Sound Beach
3
Old Blues
20
April 25 - Vancouver, WA
Los Angeles
10
Los Angeles
25
May 8 - Tampa, FL
BATS
3
Old Blues
21
April 25 - Conshohocken, PA
Life Chiropractic
9
Life Chiropractic
22
April 26 - Conshohocken, PA
Beacon Hill
6
Life Chiropractic
13
April 25 - Conshohocken, PA
Washington
6
Washington
22
May 9 - Tampa, FL
Norfolk Blues
18
Old Blues
28
April 25 - Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh
10
Pittsburgh
10
April 26 - Pittsburgh, PA
Louisville
9
Pittsburgh
16
April 25 - Pittsburgh, PA
Milwaukee
14
Milwaukee
32
May 8 - Tampa, FL
Chicago Lions
16
Pittsburgh
22
April 25 - Dallas, TX
Denver Barbarians
21
Third place
Denver Barbarians
28
April 26 - Dallas, TX
May 9 - Tampa, FL
Kansas University
7
Denver Barbarians
12
Life Chiropractic
15
April 25 - Dallas, TX
Dallas Harlequins
10
Denver Barbarians
6
Dallas Harlequins
23
Albuquerque Aardvarks
6
Semifinals
8 May 1987 6:30PM
Pittsburgh
22–21
Denver Barbarians
Try: Lee Goodman 10' c Mark Carrozza 44' Con: Jack McGannon (1/2) Pen: Tom Croskey 56', 77', 80' Drop: Joe Klimowicz 29'
Try: Steve LaPorta 49' c Con: Mike DeJong (1/1) Pen: Mike DeJong (5)
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL Referee: Don Reardon (USARFU)
8 May 1987
Old Blues
21–9
Life College
Try: Matt Taylor 26' c Moses Smiliai c Con: Gary Townsend (2/2) Pen: Gary Townsend (3)
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL Referee: Ian Nixon (USARFU)
Champions: Old Blues Staff: Whit Everett (Coach), Dave Bateman (Coach), Mr. Goldenburg (President) Captain: John Everett Roster: Mark Bass (Flanker), John Blackburn (Flanker), Mark Carlson (#8), Steve Ellis (Center), John Everett (Hooker), Sam Havili (Lock), Brian Hillesland (Lock), Greg Hulbert (Lock), Don James (Prop), Stanley Lolahea (Flanker), Rob Mascheroni (Wing), Mike McClintock (Hooker), Bo Meyersieck (Flyhalf), Ken Meyersieck (Scrumhalf), Dave Mogni (Center), Dave Morze (Lock), Tim O'Brien (Center), Ramon Samaniego (Scrumhalf), Moses Similai (Center), Todd Stone (Wing), Matt Taylor (Wing), Gary Townsend (Fullback), Brian Walgenbach (Prop), Art Ward (#8), Blane Warhurst (Flanker), Giles Wilson (Prop).
Women's Club
The 1987 Women's National Rugby Championship was a tournament that took place at Robb Field on May 23–24 in San Diego, CA.[7] Beantown won the title by defeating Florida State 6–4.[8][9] The University of Minnesota took third place with a 34–0 win over Belmont Shore Land Sharks.
The 1987 College championship was won by San Diego State. Air Force was runner-up.
Military
The 1987 National Military Rugby Championship was a twenty team tournament that took place at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, OH from May 2–3[11] and was won by Pensacola Naval Air Station with a 40–0 win over the Davis Monthan Mandrills in the Club Division[12] while The Mike Stephenson President's Fifteen won the Open Division defeating US Coast Guard Select 22–14 in the final.[13] In the Chairman's Cup competition for kickers John Byzewski of Mike Stephensons won the drop kicking contest, and Mike Croy of Scott Air Force Base was the best place kicker.[14]
Club Division
Standings
Rank
Group A
Pld
W
L
T
F
A
WPI
FTB
FTC
CLA
1.
Wright-Patterson Jets
3
3
0
0
64
4
X
17:4
16:0
31:0
2.
Fort Benning
3
2
1
0
59
25
4:17
X
9:8
46:0
3.
Fort Carson
3
0
2
0
8
25
0:16
8:9
X
?
4.
Clark
3
0
2
0
0
77
0:31
0:46
?
X
Standings
Rank
B+C
Pld
W
L
PEN
D-M
WP2
SCO
SEY
PAN
1.
Pensacola
3
3
0
X
X
40:0
46:0
X
38:0
2.
Davis Monthan Mandrills
3
3
0
X
X
29:0
21:0
40:0
X
3.
Wright Pat II
3
1
2
0:40
0:29
X
X
24-4
X
4.
Scott
3
0
2
0:46
0:21
X
X
X
X
5.
Seymore Johnson
3
0
2
X
0:40
4:24
X
X
X
6.
Panama Southcom
3
0
1
0:38
X
X
X
X
X
Standings
Rank
Group D
Pld
W
L
CAM
FTL
HAW
FTH
1.
Camp Lejeune Misfits
3
3
0
X
7:0
20:10
41:0
2.
Fort Leavenworth
3
0
1
0:7
X
?
?
3.
Hawaii Marines
3
0
1
10:20
?
X
?
4.
Fort Hood
3
0
1
0:41
?
?
X
Standings
Rank
Group E
Pld
W
L
T
F
A
FTC
CHE
CAM
TIN
1.
Fort Campbell
3
2
0
1
53
12
X
12:12
25:0
16:0
2.
Cherry Point
3
2
0
1
46
18
12:12
X
9:0
25:6
3.
Camp Pendleton
3
0
2
0
0
34
0:25
0:9
X
?
4.
Tinker
3
0
2
0
6
41
0:16
6:25
?
X
Standings
Rank
Group F
Pld
W
L
F
A
HAW
FTS
USU
FTK
1.
Hawaii ORCHAS
3
2
1
28
20
X
10:16
12:0
6:4
2.
Fort Sill
3
2
1
24
32
16:10
X
0:22
8:0
3.
USUHS
3
1
1
22
12
0:12
22:0
X
?
4.
Fort Knox
3
0
2
4
14
4:6
0:8
?
X
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Pensacola
27
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Fort Benning
0
Pensacola
10
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Camp Lejeune
6
Camp Lejeune
21
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Fort Campbell
0
Pensacola
40
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Davis Monthan
0
Davis Monthan
24
May 3 – Dayton, OH
Cherry Point
8
Davis Monthan
19
May 3 – Dayton, OH
ORCHAS
9
ORCHAS
9
Wright Patterson
3
Open Division
The Mike Stephenson's President's Fifteen advanced to the championship match with wins of 36–4 against the combined team of Yuma/29 Palms and 40–0 against the Subic Bay Marines. The Coast Guard also made it to the final from its group with wins of 60–0 over Black Sheep and 44–0 over the combined team of Ellsworth/Lackland AFB.
Third place
Subic Bay Marines 18-4 Black Sheep
Championship
Mike Stephenson's President's Fifteen 22-14 Coast Guard
Sevens
Club
The 1987 National Club Seven–a–side championship, was played at Lincoln Park at the Milwaukee Polo Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 6 September as part of the 14th annual Labor Day tournament.[15] There were eight teams featured which included two representatives from each of the four territorial unions. Akron and QC Irish qualified from the Midwest.[16] Bethlehem and Duck Brothers qualified from the Eastern regional.[17] Los Angeles and Old Puget Sound represented the Pacific Coast. Denver Barbarians and Oklahoma University represented the West. The Duck Brothers defeated the Denver Barbarians to win the championship. Old Puget Sound finished third.[18]
First round:
Old Puget Sound Beach 14–4 Bethlehem
Denver Barbarians 26–6 Akron
Los Angeles 24–10 Quad City Irish
Duck Brothers 24–0 Oklahoma
Second round:
Bethlehem 16–6 Akron
Quad City Irish 16–6 Oklahoma
Denver Barbarians 18–10 Old Puget Sound Beach
Duck Brothers 24–6 Los Angeles
Third round:
Oklahoma 14–6 Akron (Seventh place)
Bethlehem 10–4 Quad City Irish (Fifth place)
Old Puget Sound Beach 10–0 Los Angeles (Third place)
Final
6 September 1987
Duck Brothers
18–10
Denver Barbarians
Try: Will Brewington Will Brewington Chris Doherty Will Brewington 42' Con: Mark Gaetjen (1)
Champions: Duck Brothers Coach: Tony Brown Roster: Chris Albrittain (Prop), Will Brewington (Hooker), Chris Doherty (Center), Jeff Gaetjen (Hooker), Mark Gaetjen (Wing), Danny Parris (Scrumhalf), Charlie Wilkinson (Flyhalf), George Wilkinson (Center), Jimmy Wilkinson (Prop).
All Star
The 1987 National All-Star Sevens Rugby Tournament was an eight team tournament with two representatives from each territory. Similar to the ITTs, the other purpose of the tournament was to select members for the U.S. Eagles Seven–a–side team.[20] The eight teams played two rounds of games and then were paired off in placement matches. This years tournament took place at Hi Corbett Field and Hi Corbett Annex in Tucson, AZ from 30 October to 1 November as part of the 13th Annual Michelob Continental Rugby Classic.[21] The East II team won the final over the East I team. Pacific Coast I came in third.[22]
First round:
Midwest I 10–16 East II
East I 26–4 Midwest II
Pacific I 30–0 West II
West I 18–4 Pacific II
Second round:
Midwest I 24–6 West II
Pacific II 28–0 Midwest II
East II 10–4 Pacific I
East I 22–12 West I
Third round:
West II 18–10 Midwest II (Seventh place)
Midwest I 4–0 Pacific II (Fifth place)
Pacific I 12–0 West I (Third place)
Final
31 October 1987
East I
10–12
East II
Try: Herman Venske c Terrence Titus Con: Herman Venske (1/2)
Try: Mike Siano c Joe Taranto c Con: Joe McCann (2/2)
Tucson, AZ Referee: Don Reordan
Champions: East II Coach: Emil Signes, Tony Brown Roster: Joe Taranto (Union), Joe McCann (OMEX), Steve Burnham (MOB), Shaun Western (MOB), Rory Lewis (Washington), Jimmy Wilkinson (NOVA), Mike Siano (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Miller (MOB), Chris Petrakes (MOB).
ITT
The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed with players selected from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. In 1987 the tournament took place at Windhover Park in Schenectady, NY from May 23–25.[24] The Pacific Coast Grizzlies won the tournament for the tenth time. The Pacific Coast RFU also won the Junior Tournament for players under the age of 25.
Results:
23 May 1987 2:00PM
Pacific
25–13
Western
Try: Dan Morrison c Sam Vaca c Dave Surdyka c Mike Murray Con: Dan Morrison (3/4) Pen: Dan Morrison
Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies Staff: Mike Pitts (Manager/San Francisco), Bing Dawson (Coach/OMBAC) Roster: Dave Bateman (Old Puget Sound), Bruce Bevirt (Santa Monica), Mark Carlson (Old Blues), Tom Constantine (Belmont Shore), Peter Deddeh (OMBAC), Jon Knutson (Old Puget Sound), Jon Lee (OMBAC), Bill Leversee (Belmont Shore), Rick Mayfield (Portland Pigs), Joe McGlinchey (Belmont Shore), John Mickel (Los Angeles), Tex Moore (Tucson Magpies), Randy Morris (Belmont Shore), Dan Morrison (San Francisco), Mike Murray (Los Angeles), Dave Ochs (OMBAC), Tim Peterson (San Francisco), Lee Rosen (Los Angeles), Ramon Samaniego (Old Blues), Todd Samet (San Francisco), Gary Stasco (OMBAC), Dave Surdyka (Los Angeles), Sam Vaca (San Francisco), Kurt Weyand (OMBAC), Barry Williams (Los Angeles).
Team
W
L
T
1
Pacific Coast Grizzlies
2
0
1
2
Midwest Thunderbirds
1
1
1
3
Western Mustangs
1
2
0
4
Eastern Colonials
1
2
0
Women's ITT
The first edition of the Women's ITT was played from January 31 to February 1 in Metarie, LA and held in conjunction with the Battle of New Orleans tournament.[31] The Eastern RU won the championship.
The 1987 National High School Rugby Championship was an eight team tournament took place 16 May at the Fort Logan complex in Denver, CO.[32] The Burlingame squad from California won the championship by defeating Highland of Salt Lake City in the final.[33][34] Alamo City took third.[35]
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
May 16 – Denver, CO
Burlingame
28
May 16 – Denver, CO
Regis
0
Burlingame
28
May 16 – Denver, CO
Alamo City
9
Alamo City
15
May 16 – Denver, CO
Doylesville
3
Burlingame
16
May 16 – Denver, CO
Highland
6
Highland
9
May 16 – Denver, CO
Arvada West
0
Highland
10
May 16 – Denver, CO
Langley
6
Third place
Langley
May 16 – Denver, CO
Alamo City
9
Langley
6
Final
16 May 1987
Burlingame
16–6
Highland
Try: Mohu Latu Eric Tuipulotu Con: Bachalet Pen: Bachalet (2)
^Rather, Terry (July 1987). "Beantown: Women's Club Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 25.
^"Ohio Calendar Of Events For May". (April 25, 1987). Tempo Magazine, p.4 col.2
^Carlson, Kenneth N. (February 1984). "National Championships". Rugby Football Scorebook (1st ed.). Lynwood, WA: Rain Belt Inc. p. 6. ISBN0-938428-04-7.
^"Florida Team Captures Armed Forces Rugby Title". (May 12, 1986). San Antonio Light, p.D2 col.2-4
^"Rugby MVP". (May 15, 1986). The Morning Call, p.C8 col.2
^DeVrieze, Craig (September 4, 1987). "QC Ruggers To Defend U.S. Title". Daily Dispatch And Argus, p.C1 col.3–5
^Nold, Bob (September 4, 1987). "Rugby Club Seeking National Title". The Beacon Journal, p.C4 col.2–4
^"National Tourney". (September 4, 1987). The Morning Call, p.C8 col.5-6
^Signes, Emil (March 1991). "National Club Sevens Championship". Rugby: Sevens Special. Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 31.
^Scott, A.W. (October 1987). "Ducks Top Barbos For Michelob 7s Crown". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 7. p. 6.
^Bieber, John (October 30, 1987). "Rugby Returns To Hi Corbett This Weekend". Arizona Daily Star, sec.D p.3 col.1-3
^"ASU Upsets Air Force At Classic". (October 31, 1987). Arizona Daily Star, sec.F p.5 col.1-2
^Signes, Emil (March 1991). "The National All-Star Sevens Championship". Rugby: Sevens Special. Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 32.
^Hagerty, Ed (November 1987). "East Sweeps Michelob All Star 7s". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 8. p. 14.
^"Windover Park Hosts National Rugby Tourney". (May 23, 1987). Schenectady Gazette, p.21 col.2
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific Coast: 1987 Territorial Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "East 23, Midwest 3". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific 17, East 15". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. pp. 26–27.
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Midwest 1-1 Record". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 27.
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific Coast: 1987 Territorial Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
^Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "West 14, East 0". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 27.